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Low serum copper and zinc concentrations in North Indian children with overweight and obesity

Singh Malik Vivek1,2, Devi Dayal2, Ravindra Khaiwal1

  • 1Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Chandigarh, India

Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
|June 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with obesity have significantly lower serum and whole blood levels of copper and zinc compared to non-obese children. These findings suggest a potential link between these essential minerals and childhood obesity development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Obesity in children is a growing concern with complex etiologies.
  • Alterations in essential mineral levels, specifically copper and zinc, have been hypothesized to play a role in obesity.
  • Limited data exist on the specific associations between serum copper and zinc levels and childhood obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare serum and whole blood concentrations of copper and zinc in obese versus non-obese children.
  • To determine if there is a significant difference in copper and zinc levels between these two groups.
  • To explore potential correlations between these mineral levels and anthropometric parameters in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 173 children was divided into overweight/obese (n=69) and non-obese (n=104) groups based on CDC 2000 growth charts.
  • Serum and whole blood samples were analyzed for copper and zinc concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  • Copper/zinc ratios were calculated and analyzed in relation to various anthropometric measurements.

Main Results:

  • Obese children exhibited significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to non-obese children (p < 0.0001).
  • Mean serum copper, serum zinc, whole blood copper, and whole blood zinc levels were all significantly lower in the obese group compared to the non-obese group (p < 0.001 for all).
  • Specific mean values and confidence intervals for each measurement demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Serum and whole blood concentrations of both zinc and copper are significantly reduced in children with exogenous obesity.
  • These findings highlight a potential role for copper and zinc deficiencies in the development of childhood obesity.
  • Further research is recommended to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the relationship with obesity comorbidities.
Abstract

Keywords:
childhood obesitycopperratiowhole bloodzincserum

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